The Breakthrough Research of the Year Award aims to reflect the importance of scientific research and innovation, promoting a better use of energy sources and encouraging a new generation of researchers to achieve success in their work. This award seeks to highlight research applicable to the oil and gas value chain enabling the industry to transition in managing the environment, harnessing technology and drive the efficiency and safety agendas critical to the industry.

Entries will be judged on the below criteria:

1. Originality - 20% of total score

   • Submission clearly shows how original research resulted in new to industry knowledge, applicable to new frontiers across Upstream, Midstream and Downstream.
   • Submission clearly demonstrates innovative solutions to the agendas of managing the environment, harnessing technology and the drive for greater efficiency and safety.
   • The research can demonstrate a sufficient amount of peer review to support its originality.                                
     

2. Impact and value creation - 50% of total score

   It is recognised there are multiple ways in which research achieves impact and creates value. Of particular interest will be:

   • Economic, commercial, organisational impacts. For example:
     
     • Changed approach to management of resources has resulted in improved service delivery. 
     • Development of new or improved materials, products or processes. 
     • Improved support for the development of ‘small scale’ technologies. 
     • Improved effectiveness of workplace practices.
   • Impacts on public policy directed at the oil and gas industry. 
   • Showing how the research increased the stock of useful knowledge surrounding the area of research.                                                                            
     

3. Industry relevance - 30% of total score

   • Submission clearly demonstrates its ability to move from original research to insight, applicable and repeatable across the industry.
   • The stock of knowledge generated by the research can be linked to devise new applications or use cases within the industry.
   • The future benefits and advantages for the oil and gas industry are to be clear and distinguishable.

Breakthrough Technological Project of the Year recognises an innovative technology project; product or service (non-digital technical) implemented or tested, that harnesses the power of an ever-expanding range of transformational new technologies. This award will recognise the year’s best new innovative technological development made within upstream, midstream or downstream sectors with the power to become a game changer or disrupter in the industry. This award not only seeks to emphasise technological innovation, but also how technology is enabling the industry to become increasingly efficient, helping reduce costs and grapple with the challenges of environmental pressures.

Entries will be judged on the below criteria:

1. Innovation - 40% of total score 
   • Identification of inventive new technology or innovative implementation of existing technology which represents a major advancement or development in improving and progressing upon the current practices. 
   • Clear demonstration of what is original about the concept and the benefits of the innovation over existing methods.
   • The submission maps out the before and after process improvements and clearly defines the core operating processes it will impact, made clear in terms of measurable results:
     • Process complexity reduction 
     • Time improvement in completing the process 
     • Cost improvements 
     • Quality or safety improvements 
     • Improved outputs from the process impacted 
       
       
2. Economic Value - 40% of total score
   • A thorough business case has been completed for this project, product or service, validating the success of the project with proven results supported by key output KPIs: which might include but not limited to:
     • ROI of innovation activities 
     • Actual vs. targeted breakeven time for new products 
     • Revenue/profit growth from new products 
   • Submission describes the competitive advantages, the relationship between cost and benefits and the economic desirability of the project. 
     
     
3. Industry impact - 20% of total score

   Submission demonstrates its ability to move from a proof of concept trial to one that will be applicable and repeatable across the industry. The current and/or future benefits and advantages for the oil and gas industry are to be clear and distinguishable.

   • Explain a clear and practical business application of the solution or initiative within the oil and gas value chain.
   • Demonstrate the organisational and financial commitment towards the project/product/service development and its commercial potential.
   • Show that the project is a commercially viable technology that is ready for market and for wider adoption and application.
   • Submission describes the significant industry contribution this project/product/service holds and explains how the industry is/will be impacted locally, regionally and/or globally.

Digital Transformation is defined as the application of new technologies that radically changes processes, customer experience and value. Digital Transformation enables organisations to become Digital-Native Enterprises that support innovation and digital disruption. Digital Transformation leverages third platform technologies such as cloud, mobile, big data, and social, coupled with organisational, operational, and business model innovations to create new ways of operating and growing businesses.

 The Digital Transformation Project of the Year Award will recognise the importance of digitalisation within the oil and gas industry and honours the achievements of organisations that have successfully digitalised one or multiple areas of their business through the application of digital and disruptive technologies.

 This award is open to all projects, including upstream, mid-stream or downstream, that have successfully incorporated/implemented digitalisation that is innovative, value enhancing and has a noteworthy return on investment.

Entries will be judged on the below criteria:

• Business transformation – 30% of total score
  

  The submission clearly outlines how a business has transformed the way they work through the adoption of digital processes or technologies. 

• Innovation - 20% of total score
  

  This concerns the originality of the project or digital advancement in terms of subject and/or approach.

• Application of technology - 50% of total score
• This will recognise the successful or innovative application of a specific technology or digital process.
• Collaboration Points will be gained if the idea promoted collaboration/integration across specific parts of the business either internally or with 3rd party collaborative partners and project stakeholders. 
• Project delivery/benefits the submission shows how digital technologies and processes have helped deliver your project with demonstrable and measurable benefits. 

Social contribution and local-content initiatives in oil and gas producing countries have become a key priority of host governments and industry players alike, as a means of maximising the benefits to be gained from their petroleum industries through creating employment, developing local skills and capacity, transferring know-how, collaborating with local suppliers and subcontractors and enhancing local entrepreneurship.

The Social Contribution and Local Content Project of the Year Award will recognise the unique contribution and efforts made by the oil and gas industry across all parts of the industry value chain for the betterment of the wider community and environment, thus the local upliftment it provided.

Entries will be judged on the below criteria:

• Economic impact – 40% of total score
  

  Submission clearly describes the overall financial impact generated by the project, documenting measurable business impact and demonstrates the in-country value highlighting the promotion of actions that nurture autonomous and sustainable local socio-economic development, micro-entrepreneurship and infrastructure projects.

• Employment impact - 40% of total score

  Submission clearly shows the enhanced level of participation of local people and businesses as a direct result of the projects activities.

• Human capital development - 20% of total score 
  

  Submission showcases the wider community/country betterment and improvement that the project has brought. Highlighting examples of how the project transferred skills and knowledge, boosting the community skill assets. And/or through, but not limited to, programs aimed at promoting and improving access to education, vocational training and scholarships.

Inclusive workplaces, gender and ethnic diversity, equal pay and diversity of thought amongst others will shape a diverse and inclusive oil and gas industry for the future. 

The Oil and Gas Inclusion and Diversity Company of the Year Award has been developed to recognise a company for their contribution in promoting, delivering and embedding inclusion and diversity into their business strategy creating an equal, diverse and inclusive environment for all in their organisation.

Entries will be judged on the below criteria:

• Innovation - 15% of total score
  

  Submission demonstrates the use of innovative approaches, which have resulted in a step up from business as usual in the development of inclusion and diversity programmes. 

• Impact - 60% of total score
  

  Submission provides evidence of making an impact beyond their immediate team/business area/department and is applicable across all levels of the organisation, including upper, middle and lower management. Submission also provides evidence that demonstrates how the project or programme is achieving tangible results.

• Sustainability – 25% of total score
  

  Submission demonstrates positive outcomes arising from their initiative / practice and can demonstrate the potential to leave a lasting legacy and establish new industry best practices.

Young Technical Professional of the Year Award will recognise a young technical professional who has shown the ability to become a key contributor to the future development of the industry and who has strong potential to reach senior management level.

Age limit: candidates must be under 30 years of age and will be judged on the below criteria:

• Education – 10% of total score

  The candidate has a STEM degree (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) and provides proof of his/her graduation certificate.

• Adaptability - 10% of total score
  

  Submission gives evidence of candidate’s ability to adapt to different work environment, people and unplanned situations.

• Recommendation - 10% of total score

  Personal recommendation from the candidate’s line manager or mentor.

• Achievements and experience - 35% of total score

  The candidate has at least 2 years of experience in a technical role and the submission outlines the scope of work, areas of involvement and key achievements.

• Leadership and role model - 35% of total score:

  Submission shows evidence that the candidate displays leadership qualities and acts as a team player. The submission illustrates how the candidate influences other young engineers and displays potential to act as a role model to younger individuals moving into the industry.

Governments in all regions renewed their commitment to reducing carbon emissions and capitalising on new energy consumption behaviours in the post-pandemic era. The oil and gas industry is facing the challenge to reduce its emissions while simultaneously to meet the increased need for reliable and cheap energy. The Innovation in Decarbonisation Company of the Year Award aims at recognising the oil, gas and energy company that has developed transformational solutions (technology, tools and practices) to reducing their footprint in terms of emissions in the environment, as well as water and land consumption.

This award is open to oil, gas and energy companies showing commitment and innovation to reduce footprint while improve energy affordability by creating and deploying future-oriented initiatives across all parts of the oil, gas and energy industry value chain.

Entries will be judged on the below criteria:

• Commitment to address climate change  – 20% of total score

• Company’s strategic agenda clearly states the ambition to address climate change and outline strategic actions towards the reduction of its carbon emissions and water consumption footprint.
•  Submission demonstrates active promotion and incentive plans that support footprint reduction and incorporate principles of water stewardship to employees, stakeholders and the wider public.

• Evidence of company's transparency of reporting in line with Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) recommendations. 
  
  

• Innovative initiatives in Footprint reduction  – 30% of total score

• Submission outlines at least three innovative initiatives started in the last 24 months that contributed to significantly reduce the footprint of Company activities in a sustainable manner.
• Submission gives distinct evidence of the innovative aspects of the initiatives to reduce CO2 emissions and increase efficiencies in water consumption.
• Submission outlines investments in the last 3 years, to cut CO2 emissions and water consumption, to be assessed based on company scale of activities.
  
  

• Initiatives impact  – 50% of total score

  • Submission gives evidence of significant progress or success towards achieving clear initiative targets, as part of the company’s strategy to reduce CO2 emissions and increase efficiencies of water consumption.
  • Completion of thorough business cases for high-impact projects to help the oil and gas industry reduce water consumption and carbon emissions footprint.
  • Clear demonstration of the ability to replicate and scale up results of the initiatives.

Oil and gas start-ups play a vital role in pushing the boundaries in the sector by tackling pressing business challenges typically faced by corporations across the globe with a new lens. However, start-ups still face challenges inhibiting them from scaling up businesses and securing mass production in a timely manner.

This award aims at recognising the oil and gas start-up working on innovative projects with the greatest potential to reshape the industry based on innovation, business model and impact of its products and services.

Entries will be judged on the below criteria:

• Innovation – 40% of total score

• Submission clearly outlines the inventive technologies, products and services that the start-up is offering and the industry pain points they address.
• Clear demonstration of the products/services departure from previously established methods or processes and usage of technological breakthroughs.
• Submission maps out the before and after improvements that the products/services bring and clearly defines the core operating processes they will impact.

• Business model – 20% of total score

• Submission demonstrates a thorough business case showcasing the start-up's financial sustainability.
• Strong demonstration of the start-up's vision, strategic plan and organisational structure for long-term sustainable results.
• Submission illustrates extent of scalability and market reach of the start-up's products and services.

• Industry impact – 40% of total score

  • Evidence of practical business application of the products and services within the energy value chain.
  • Clear demonstration that the start-up's products and services are ready for market and for wider adoption and application.
  • Submission describes the significant industry contribution the products/services hold and explains how the industry is/will be impacted locally, regionally and/or globally.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant disruptions to the way businesses operate, and pushed the entire industry to reconsider the way its operations are conducted. Operational Excellence should be on every company’s agenda and serve as a key strategic enabler to mitigate the impact of COVID-19  and demonstrate the resilience of the oil, gas and energy industry as a whole. Many companies used this crisis to introduce innovative solutions to run operations remotely and become more resilient and more efficient post-pandemic.

The Operational Excellence – Excellence in Remote Operations award recognises the oil and gas company operating with high excellence standards, overcoming disruptive conditions through remote operations to ensure business viability and agility in the future.

Entries will be judged on the below criteria:

• Efficiency and cost improvements – 60% of total score

• Submission proves clear set targets as part of the company’s cost reduction and throughput, increasing strategy and validation of success towards achieving those targets.
• Submission gives evidence of new practices and advanced tools to operate specific activities remotely and results achieved in terms of time, cost, quality, throughput of impacted activities.

• Risk management – 30% of total score    

• Clear demonstration of integrating industry risk mitigation techniques into short and long-term internal decision-making processes and the successful results of risk responses.
• Evidence of commitment to and record of safety for employees, environment and local communities.  

• Quality of project management – 10% of total score

  • Evidence of successful and timely completion of projects and technical excellence (i.e., on-time and on-budget projects).
  •  Evidence of delivery of products and services efficiently and reliably without any loss in quality.

This award seeks to recognise a visionary individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the development of the oil and gas industry in the course of their career for a consistent and prolonged period of engagement, winning widespread recognition and respect on the global stage.

Entries will be judged on the below criteria:

• Achievements – 40% of total score

•  Submission shows a consistent track record of significant business, academic or other achievements enabling the   advancement of the global oil and gas sector and making a difference in people's lives.
•  Submission illustrates individual's ability to propel his/her achievements through innovative and creative solutions.
•  Evidence of the individual's ability to implement change over a notable time period.              

• Leadership – 20% of total score

• Clear demonstration of the candidate's ability to persuade others to "buy-into" important changes/ initiatives.
• Submission clearly shows the candidate's commitment to serving and helping the community.
• Clear demonstration of candidate's ability to inspire and drive emotional commitment and respect.           

• Strategic vision – 20% of total score

  
  
  • Evidence of long-term and coherent set of aspired goals throughout the individual's career.
  • Evidence of a planned series of steps leading to achievement of the goals.
  • Submission illustrates real transformation as a result of the candidate's vision.                  

• Peer recognition and integrity - 20% of total score

  
  
  • Submission shows the extent to which the candidate is well known and admired in their area and the extent to which the candidate is seen as a role model for peers and for future generations.
  • Submission illustrates the stated values of the candidate and translation of those values into actual behavior.